Sore throat is common in adults, children and painful

6:46 PM,
Aug. 20, 2013

Written by

Mesa View Regional Hospital
Health Tip

A sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow.

A sore throat is the primary symptom of pharyngitis or inflammation of the throat. But the terms "sore throat" and "pharyngitis" are often used interchangeably.

The most common cause of a sore throat is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. A sore throat caused by a virus resolves on its own with at-home care. Strep throat - or streptococcal infection - a less common type of sore throat caused by bacteria, requires additional treatment with antibiotic drugs to prevent complications. ...